STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Islanders have the longest commute in the nation -- and the high fares to prove it.

Now, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is looking to extend the federal mass transit tax break -- that saves commuters upward of $1,000 annually -- before it is due to expire at the end of the year.

Schumer (D-N.Y.) has introduced the Commuter Benefits Equity Act, saying: "As the price of commuting continues to climb, this tax break has become increasingly vital. Mass transit is the lifeblood of the New York area, and this provision helps keep it flowing and affordable."

Last year, an estimated 700,000 New York-area mass transit commuters saved more than $330 million through the benefit, which covers up to $245 a month from an individual's gross income, and provides parity with a previous benefit for the parking costs of drivers.

Nationwide, 2.7 million commuters benefit from the transit tax break.

Schumer said the mass transit commuter break should be extended before Jan. 1, because extending it retroactively could be tough. He noted there is sentiment on Capitol Hill to hold off on "extenders" like this by members who want a broad agreement on tax reform first.

The tax break covers all major mass transit systems, including New York City's subways, buses and express buses.

For starters, Schumer's office said the tax break covers the full $112 per month cost of an unlimited 30-day MetroCard.

It also fully covers the monthly cost of buying a weekly pass on Metropolitan Transit Authority express buses at $55 a week, for a total monthly cost of $220. However, if the benefit is not extended, it will revert to $130 per month and just 59 percent of the cost will be covered -- meaning an express bus commuter will have to pay $90 post-tax dollars every month, for a cost of $1,080 a year.

Tuesday, there was support on Staten Island for Schumer's bid to extend the break.

"Whenever government can put money back in the pockets of taxpayers, it should do that," said Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn), who has been outspoken on the mass transit cost crunch. "I took advantage of this deduction during the years I commuted to work in Manhattan by express bus. With the increasing cost of commuting, tax breaks like this that encourage use of express buses and mass transit are important and very welcome."

"Sen. Schumer's efforts to protect the tax benefit for those who utilize mass transit is extremely important for Staten Islanders, particularly the riders of our express bus service," said Staten Island MTA board member Allen Cappelli. "It is imperative that the federal government provide these breaks to reduce the costs of riders and encourage mass transit usage in order to decrease the numbers of cars that clog our roads and highways."

Schumer authored the original legislation in 2008 as part of an overall economic stimulus package.